Apparatus for charging coke-oven chambers

ABSTRACT

A longitudinal conveyer is mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of a battery of coke-oven chambers and includes an endless belt selectively movable in the longitudinal direction. A discharge opening is formed in the bottom strand of the belt and a charging means including a funnel is fixed to the belt around the opening. The charging means also includes a connection device mounted on the funnel for selective vertical movement to connect the funnel with the charging openings of a selected chamber.

United States Patent Wagener et al.

[451 Apr. 29, 1975 APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE-OVEN CHAMBERS Inventors:Dietrich Wagener; Friedrich Isermann, both of Essen; Ernst Rietschle,Essen-Stadtwald, all of Germany Assignee: Didier-Kellogg, Essen, GermanyFiled: Aug. 9, 1973 Appl. No.: 387,198

Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 11, 1972 Germany 2239557 U.S. Cl202/262; 201/40; 214/16 R; 214/18 R; 214/21 Int. Cl. ClOb 35/00; ClOb31/04 Field of Search 202/262, 263; 201/40; 214/16 R, 18 R, 21

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Haley et al 214/18 R 3048.2828/1962 Reiff et al. 214/16 R 3.707237 12/1972 Wiemer 202/262 3,753,8678/1973 Wiemer 202/262 1784034 1/1974 Thompson 202/262 PrimaryExaminer-Norman Yudkoff Assistant Examiner-D. Sanders Attorney, Agent,or FirmWenderoth, Lind & Ponack [57] ABSTRACT A longitudinal conveyer ismounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of a battery of coke-ovenchambers and includes an endless belt selectively movable in thelongitudinal direction. A discharge opening is formed in the bottomstrand of the belt and a charging means including a funnel is fixed tothe belt around the opening. The charging means also includes aconnection device mounted on the funnel for selective vertical movementto connect the funnel with the charging openings of a selected chamber.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 BF 4 m a .h w/

PHENTEB 3.880.720

sum 2 (BF 4 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

l APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COKE-OVEN CHAMBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an apparatus for charging coke-ovenchambers combined in batteries and to which coal is supplied through acharging or filling device from at least one longitudinal conveyerhaving a conveying surface and arranged in parallel with the axis of thebattery of oven chambers.

In charging coke-oven chambers combined in batteries, it is desirable toavoid the common use of charging wagons that are driven on the cover ofthe battery and which transport the coal from a supply bin to the ovenchambers. These wagons, which are still in general use, are heavy andexpensive in regard to costs and personnel expenditures. Accordingly,there has already appeared a number of publications that deal with theproblem of charging coke-oven chambers without employing chargingwagons. Basically, two systems have immerged until the present time.

According to a first system, which is treated for example in Germanpatent No. 1,162,807, preheated coal is blown through a charging pipeand branch lines into the oven chambers. Steam, coke-oven gas or aninert gas are used as a carrier gas in this system. Such apparatus isdisadvantageous in that it requires a complex pipe switch, which issusceptible to failure, for each oven chamber in order to draw off coalfrom the main supply bin.

The second prior art system employs scraper, chain or similar typelongitudinal conveyers arranged in a conduit of box-type cross-sectionto feed the coal over a conveying surface to the oven chamber to befilled. The coal is branched off from the longitudinal conveyers to theoven chamber through a stationary filling device provided on each ovenchamber. Alternatively, a single filling device is provided, whichdevice can be tranported to separate chambers anad connected to closableconnections of the longitudinal conveyers. In each case, a number ofshutting-off elements is required between the longitudinal conveyer andthe filling device, which number corresponds to the number of ovenchambers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toimprove the connection between the conveying surface of longitudinalconveyers and a transportable charging device.

This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention byemploying a belt displaceable in the longitudinal direction and whichhas a discharge opening as the conveying surface of the longitudinalconveyer. A filling or charging device connectable to the chargingopenings of the oven chambers is coupled to the discharge opening. Inthis manner, the connection between the longitudinal conveyer and thecharging device remains closed throughout every phase of operation, thatis, the connection is closed during the transportation of the chargingdevice from an oven chamber just filled to another oven chamber to befilled. This reduces considerably the/complexity of the operating means,and the operation can be effected with simple control means from acentral control station.

In accordance with the invention, the structure of the longitudinalconveyer is such that the inner surface of the lower strand of anendless belt is employed as the conveying surface of the longitudinalconveyer. The upper and the lower strands of the belt extend into guidesthat are arranged on the inner sides of the side walls that limit thebelt laterally and form a closed conveying channel with the belt.Accordingly, the endless belt forms simultaneously the upper and thelower walls of a gas-tight channel, wherein the coal is conveyed withouta stress to the environment. Since the connection between thelongitudinal conveyer and the charging device is always maintained, theescape of coal dust or coal is prevented. Accordingly, while being ofsimple construction, the longitudinal conveyer meets all therequirements that are placed on the modern coke-oven operation withregard to the protection of the environment.

The guides of the endless belt may be sealed by means of a housingattached to the side walls of the longitudinal conveyer. At thecoal-feed end, the side walls are provided with charging openings thatcommunicate with a coal supply bin or a coal drying vessel throughdistribution devices.

Channels conducting inert gas and comprising connecting openings to theguides of the endless belt are suitably provided on the outer sides ofthe side walls of the longitudinal conveyer. This prevents soiling ofthe belt guides and secures the continuous operational capability of thebelt.

The charging device, which advantageously includes a funnel having ashutting-off element. is coupled to the discharge opening of the endlessbelt. The charging device has vertically movable connections for thecharging openings of the oven chambers, and may differ in designdepending on the specific nature and the preliminary treatment of thecoal to be conveyed into the oven chambers.

In the case of predried or preheated coal that possesses a relativelygood fluidity, the longitudinal conveyer can preferably be arrangedalong the longitudinal axis of the battery on the cover of the battery.and the charging device can possess a tube-type distribution elementthat branches off to the central charging openings of each chamber andwhich is connected to the funnel in a telescoping manner. Thedistribution element comprises charging opening connections and issuspended from roller paths arranged in parallel with the longitudinalconveyer by means of rods having connected thereto lifting and loweringdevices.

According to the invention, use may be made of a charging device whichis of a particularly simple construction and which is employed forhighly preheated coal powder, which levels automatically in the ovenchambers in the same manner as liquid. The longitudinal conveyer isarranged on a longitudinal side of the battery cover, and the funnel ofthe charging device has a charging opening connection that can be placedin position and removed by means of lifting and lowering devices.

For comminuted wet coal, the invention provides a charging devicewherein the longitudinal conveyer is arranged on a longitudinal side onthe battery cover, and the funnel-of the charging device is connected toa transverse conveyer consisting of a scraper conveyer that has verticalpipes and which extends transversely over the battery to the chargingopenings of an oven chamber and can be transported on rails along thelongitudinal axis of the battery. The vertical pipes carry fillingopening connections that can be displaced by means of a common liftingand lowering device.

The conveying surface of the transverse conveyer is perferablysubdivided into conveying paths and connected to the verical pipes bymeans of surface slides adjustable across the width of the transverseconveyer. The surface slides on the vertical pipes can be used forshifting the surfaces to the conveying paths that lead to more distantvertical pipes.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of the followingdetailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectionthrough a portion of a longitudinal conveyer, in the area where thecharging device is connected, along the line II of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a section along the line 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section ofa first embodiment of a charging device situatedabove an oven chamber;

FIG. 4 is a section, similar to that of FIG. 3, of a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a section, similar to those of FIGS. 3 and 4, of a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the charging device of FIG. 5, onan enlarged scale;

FIG. 8 is a section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a section taken along the line IXIX of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Numeral I used in the drawingsindicates a main longitudinal conveyer arranged on a roof 2 of a batteryof oven chamber 3. As seen in FIG. 6, the longitudinal conveyer extendsalong the entire longitudinal length of the battery and conveys the coalfrom a coal bin bunker directly to separate oven chambers 3 or throughdrying and measuring vessels (not shown). The charging or fillingopenings of the oven chambers are designated by numeral 4 and thestandpipe openings thereof by numeral 5.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, longitudinal conveyer I is a scraper-typeconveyer and possesses an endless conveyer consisting of two chains 6aand 6b having coal driving bars 7 arranged between the chains. On itssides, the endless conveyer is flanked by side walls 8a and 812 that areprovided on the inner sides thereof with box-type longitudinal bars 9aand 9b. The upper strands of chains 6a and 6b are guided on the uppernarrow surfaces of bars 9a and 912, while the lower strands of thechains are guided in the spaces defined by thelower narrow surfaces ofbars 9a and 9b and longitudinally extending bars 10a and 10b spaced frombars 9a and 9b and extending parallel thereto.

An endless belt 11 is arranged around the endless conveyer and is guidedat the longitudinal sides of the upper and lower strands thereofrespectively in guides 12a and 12b and 13a and 13]) attached to theinner sides of side walls 8a and 812. Gas ducts 14a and 14b are situatedon the outer sides of side walls 8, the ducts communicating throughbores with. guides 13a and 13b of belt 11.

The inner surface of the lower strand of belt 11 is employed as theconveying surface for the coal and for driving bars 7 of the endlessconveyer. For the purpose of coal delivery. belt 11 in the'lowerstrandthereof possesses an opening 15 to*which.a.funnel 17 is attachedby means of a frame 16, thejfunnel being a part of the filling orcharging device to be described in more detail below. Belt opening l5canbe closed by means of a lid 18 arranged infunnel 17. If necessary.endless belt 11 can be reinforced by means ,of'crosspieces 19 as seen inFIG. 1.

When scraper conveyer 1 operates. coal is conveyed by driving bars 7 inthe direction of arrow 20 shown in FIG. 1 on the upper surface of thelower strand of belt 11 to opening 15 and is discharged there intofunnel 17 while lid 18 is opened, funnel 17 being connected to an ovenchamber by means of a suitable charging device. Belt 11 is stationary atthis time, and is displaced only for the purpose of bringing opening 15and filling device funnel 17 attached thereto to the particular ovenchamber 2 to be charged. In order to be able to perform the displacementof opening 15 without friction, guides 13a and 13b of the belt areflushed, e.g. with an inert gas that prevents the penetration of coalparticles. Belt 11 is formed of steel or another material that meetsobvious operational requirements.

The filling or charging devices discussed in the following exemplifiedembodiments can be connected to opening 15 of belt 11.

According to FIG. 3, longitudinal conveyer l is carried by a framework20. The charging device connected to belt opening 15 consists of funnell7 and a tubular distributing element 21 that slides in a telescopingmanner on the pipe-shaped portion of funnel 17. The leg ends of thedistributor element carry connections 22a and 22b for charging openings4. Distributor element 21 is suspended by means of rods 23a and 23b fromrollers that run on rails 24a and 24b attached on either side oflongitudinal conveyer to framework 20. Rods 23a and 23b are providedwith lifting and lowering devices 25a and 251), by means of whichconnections 22a and 2212 can be placed on and removed from chargingopenings 4 of oven chambers 3. A charging device of this type isparticularly suitable for predried coal.

FIG. 4 shows a charging device for well dried, finely ground coal thatlevels automatically in the oven chamber, i.e., coal which due to itsfluidity does not form pouring cones. Oven chambers 3 of the battery areprovided with special charging openings 26, and longitudinal conveyer 1is arranged above these openings on a framework 27. The charging deviceagain consists of funnel 17 having a pipe-shaped portion onto which acharging opening connection 28 slides in telescoping manner. Funnel 17and connection 28 are joined together by means of rods 29a and 291)including lifting and lowering devices 300 and 30b.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-9 illustrates a charging device usedespecially for wet coal. Longitudinal conveyer 1 is attachedto aframework 31 on a longitudinal side of the oven battery above thebattery cover. A transverse conveyer 32is connected to the pipe-shapedportion of funnel "17', the conveying distance of the transverseconveyer being sufficient for charging opening 4a-4d of each chamber 3.Transverse conveyer 32 rests on a carriage frame 33 that can betransported on rails 34a and 34b, which are placed on the battery coverparallel with longitudinal conveyer I.

Downwardly from a conveying surface 35 of transverse conveyer 32, whichis constructed as chain or scraper conveyer similar to longitudinalconveyer 1, there extend vertical pipes 36a36d. These vertical pipeshave charging opening connections 37u-37d guides thereon in atelescoping manner.

Connections 37a-37d are joined together by a spar 38 that is engaged bylifting and lowering devices 39a and 39b attached to the frame oftransverse conveyer 32 or to carriage 33 and which are employed forlowering and lifting connections 37(1-3711.

As shown in FIG. 8, conveying surface of transverse conveyer 32 issubdivided by means of partitions 40-42 into four conveying paths 4346,on which coal is separately conveyed to vertical pipes 36u36c1. Theareas of vertical pipes 36a36c to which the coal is conveyed arecontrolled by displaceable surface slides 47a-47c. Path 43 leads to pipe36a, path 44 to pipe 36b, path 45 to pipe 360 and path 46 to pipe 36d.The receiving or feed end of transverse conveyer 32 is connected tofunnel 17 by means of a connecting pipe 48, in which there are arrangedtransverse rods 49 that prevent the formation of a cone as the coalfalls into the transverse conveyer. The coal is transported in conveyingpaths 43-46 over conveying surface 35 by means of endless chainconveyers 50-53 that are provided with driving elements.

It is to be understood that various specific structural features of theabove embodiments may be modified without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for charging coal into the chambers of coke ovensarranged longitudinally in a battery, said apparatus comprising:

a main longitudinal conveyor fixedly positioned to extend longitudinallyabove said battery, said longitudinal conveyor being connectable to acoal supply and including:

a conveying surface having therein a discharge opening, said conveyingsurface being movably mounted within said longitudinal conveyor forselective movement longitudinally thereof; and

scraper means for moving coal received from said coal supplylongitudinally along said conveying surface within said longitudinalconveyor; and

a charging means for selectively discharging coal through said dischargeopening into charging openings of selected of said chambers.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main longitudinalconveyor further includes an endless belt movably mounted within saidlongitudinal conveyor for selective movement longitudinally thereof,said endless belt having an upper strand and a lower strand, said lowerstrand having therein said discharge opening, the upper surface of saidlower strand comprising said conveying surface.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said longitudinalconveyer further comprises longitudinally extending side walls havingupper and lower guides on the inner surfaces thereof; said upper andlower strands of said endless belt extending into said guides; said sidewalls and said upper and lower strands forming a closed conveyingchannel.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising gas ductsextending through said side walls into said guides.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said charging meanscomprises a downwardly extending funnel rigidly connected to said beltsurrounding said discharge opening; shut-off means positionable in saidfunnel for selectively blocking and unblocking communication betweensaid discharge opening and said funnel; and connection means mounted onsaid funnel for selective vertical movement for connecting said funnelto said charging openings of said selected chamber.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said longitudinalconveyer is positioned above the longitudinal axis of said battery; andfurther comprising longitudinal rails mounted parallel to said axisabove said battery; said connection means comprises a distributingelement having an upper portion telescopingly attached to said funneland a lower portion having branches leading to said charging openings,charging connections fixed to the lower ends of said branches forconnection to said charging openings; and means connected to saiddistributing element for adjustingly supporting said distributingelement for longitudinal movement along said rails.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said longitudinalconveyer is positioned above a longitudinal side of said battery; andsaid connection means comprises a charging connection telescopinglyattached to said funnel; and means for selectively raising and loweringsaid charging connection into and out of connection with said chargingopenings.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said longitudinalconveyer is positioned above a longitudinal side of said battery; andsaid connection means comprises a transverse conveyer positioned toextend transversely across and above an oven of said battery, saidtransverse conveyer having means for selective longitudinal displacementthereof, a plurality of vertical pipes extending downwardly from saidtransverse conveyer toward said charging openings, charging connectionstelescopingly attached to each of said vertical pipes, means forselectively raising and lowering said charging connections into and outof connection with said charging openings, and means for selectivelyconveying coal received from said funnel to said vertical pipes.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said transverse conveyerhas a conveying surface divided into a plurality of conveying paths,each of said conveying paths leading to one of said vertical pipes; andfurther comprising a plurality of surface slides mounted for adjustablemovement in the transverse direction of said transverse conveyer forproviding selective communication between said conveying paths and saidvertical paths.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CHARGING COAL INTO THE CHAMBERS OF COKE OVENSARRANGED LONGITUDINALLY IN A BATTERY, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: A MAINLONGITUDINAL CONVEYOR FIXEDLY POSITIONED TO EXTEND LONGITUDINALLY ABOVESAID BATTERY, SAID LONGITUDINAL CONVEYOR BEING CONNECTABLE TO A COALSUPPLY AND INCLUDING: A CONVEYING SURFACE HAVING THEREIN A DISCHARGEOPENING, SAID CONVEYING SURFACE BEING MOVABLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAIDLONGITUDINAL CONVEYOR FOR SELECTIVE MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF; AND2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main longitudinalconveyor further includes an endless belt movably mounted within saidlongitudinal conveyor for selective movement longitudinally thereof,said endless belt having an upper strand and a lower strand, said lowerstrand having therein said discharge opening, the upper surface of saidlower strand comprising said conveying surface.
 3. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 2, wherein said longitudinal conveyer further compriseslongitudinally extending side walls having upper and lower guides on theinner surfaces thereof; said upper and lower strands of said endlessbelt extending into said guides; said side walls and said upper andlower strands forming a closed conveying channel.
 4. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 3, further comprising gas ducts extending through saidside walls into said guides.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2,wherein said charging means comprises a downwardly extending funnelrigidly connected to said belt surrounding said discharge opening;shut-off means positionable in said funnel for selectively blocking andunblocking communication between said discharge opening and said funnel;and connection means mounted on said funnel for selective verticalmovement for connecting said funnel to said charging openings of saidselected chamber.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidlongitudinal conveyer is positioned above the longitudinal axis of saidbattery; and further comprising longitudinal rails mounted parallel tosaid axis above said battery; said connection means comprises adistributing element having an upper portion telescopingly attached tosaid funnel and a lower portion having branches leading to said chargingopenings, charging connections fixed to the lower ends of said branchesfor connection to said charging openings; and means connected to saiddistributing element for adjustingly supporting said distributingelement for longitudinal movement along said rails.
 7. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said longitudinal conveyer is positionedabove a longitudinal side of said battery; and said connection meanscomprises a charging connection telescopingly attached to said funnel;and means for selectively raising and lowering said charging connectioninto and out of connection with said charging openings.
 8. An apparatusas claimed in claim 5, wherein said longitudinal conveyer is positionedabove a longitudinal side of said battery; and said connection meanscomprises a transverse conveyer positioned to extend transversely acrossand above an oven of said battery, said transverse conveyer having meansfor selective longitudinal displacement thereof, a plurality of verticalpipes extending downwardly from said transverse conveyer toward saidcharging openings, cHarging connections telescopingly attached to eachof said vertical pipes, means for selectively raising and lowering saidcharging connections into and out of connection with said chargingopenings, and means for selectively conveying coal received from saidfunnel to said vertical pipes.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8,wherein said transverse conveyer has a conveying surface divided into aplurality of conveying paths, each of said conveying paths leading toone of said vertical pipes; and further comprising a plurality ofsurface slides mounted for adjustable movement in the transversedirection of said transverse conveyer for providing selectivecommunication between said conveying paths and said vertical paths.